Brazil States and Capitals List and Map

Brazil turns out to be the largest country in the South American continent, amassing a total area of approximately 8.5 million square kilometers. The nation in itself is a symphony of contrasts, where modern cities exist in harmony with ancient traditions, and every street exudes vibrancy of traditions and is full of diversity. The culture is a patchwork of influences drawn from various traditions, chiefly those from Africa and Europe. Forming the ninth largest economy of the world, its development and production are largely built upon the pillars of agriculture, mining, manufacturing, and services.

Historical Formations

The history of the nation was popularized following the pre-Columbian era, which witnessed the presence of indigenous tribes such as Tupi, Guarani. These tribes lived in prosperity until the wave of colonization followed and the Portuguese established their rule in 1532. They divided the region into 15 captancies or areas for ease of governance.

Following the tumultuous times of colonization, arrived the phase of the republican movement, which focused on establishing democracy within the country. The Proclamation of the Republic was put forward in 1889, and rebel groups took matters into their own hands. Finally, their efforts bore fruit, and democracy was restored in the year 1945, following the Second World War. Yet a military coup took over and established its regime for almost twenty years.

After such a prolonged period of military rule, agitations grew among the masses, which eventually led to the dictator stepping down. Democracy was again established in 1985, and economic reforms were adopted for the development of the nation.

In the present time, the nation makes utmost efforts to grow amidst the backdrop of challenges such as corruption, inequality, and environmental issues. Social programs and reforms continue to propel the nation towards progressive days.

Geographical Features

Brazil comprises a diverse landscape that is inclusive of the largest rainforest in the world (Amazon rainforest), wetlands, a large coastline exposed to the Atlantic Ocean, and is covered by a spanning range of mountains. The majestic Iguaza Falls, lying in the southern regions, form a vivid example of the coming together of nature’s resources and beauty. The site is a popular tourist attraction among the masses and is known for its stunning beauty.

The major crops that are grown in the country consist of soybeans, wheat, corn, rice, grapes, guarana, brazil, nuts, corn, oranges, and bananas. The variation in the crop patterns is mainly due to features such as nature of soil, availability of rainfall, and proximity to the sea.

The prominent minerals that are mined in the country include iron ore, bauxite, copper, gold, manganese, nickel, tin, uranium, diamonds, and emeralds. The nation also ranks first in the world in terms of its production of iron ore. Further, gemstones are also found in certain regions of the nation: agate and amethyst (found in Rio Grande do Sul); aquamarine and topaz (found in Santa Catarina); diamonds and emeralds (found in Minas Gerais); and tourmaline and citrine (found in Bahia).

In addition to this, the land houses key tourist attractions that are sure to linger in the memories of the travelers for a long time. The landscape is full of spots such as the Andes Mountains, the Atlantic Forest, and the Cerrado Savannas. This beauty did not go unnoticed by international platforms, as the nation is home to two key UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which include the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago and Iguacu National Park.

Cultural Practices

The large number of states observe a difference in their traditional cultural practices, which are reflected by the various forms of dance, music, and art that are specific to each region.

The state of Amazonas observes the Amazonas Folk Festival every year which serves as the stage for the display of local ways of life. The cuisine is complemented by the presence of rich dishes such as pirarucu, açaí, and tacacá. On the other hand, the city of Pará is famous for being the host to the Círio de Nazaré, which is the largest Catholic procession in Brazil.

In the northeastern ends of the nation, lies the states of Bahia, Pernambuco, and Ceará. These areas are known for the abundance of Afro-Brazilian people, and thus their lifestyle is reflected through forms of art, music, and dance. Pernambuco is famous for its carnival celebrations that are conducted chiefly in Recife and Olinda. Furthermore, the state of Ceará is famous for the Forró style of dance and music.

The southeastern states do not lag behind in terms of diversity and are inclusive of major regions such as Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Minas Gerais. The Baroque form of architecture draws upon the state of Minas Gerais and finds a depiction in its large number of buildings and houses. Apart from this, traditional cuisine includes dishes such as feijoada, tutu à mineira, and pão de queijo.

In the southern region lie the states of Rio Grande do Sul and Paraná. The former state displays a unique form of dance called Fandango, which owes its existence to the indigenous communities residing therein. In contrast to this, the latter state is largely colored by Polish and German influences, owing to its historical conditions. It also serves as the host to the Paraná Chamber Music Festival, which forms a center stage for the meet and greet of artists from all over the nation.

In the west, the states of Mato Grosso and Goías do not fall short in terms of their vibrance and diversity. This is in turn demonstrated by the variety of ingredients that constitute prime dishes such as churrasco and empadão.

Thus, the cultural waters of the states come together to form a nation whose core lies in its warm hospitality and a spirit of joy that is infectious, spreading among all those who visit the region. This water also provides nourishment to the various traditions of indigenous communities and helps them sustain themselves against the backdrop of modern influences.

Languages Spoken

The official language of the nation, which is brought into daily use by the majority of its population, is Portuguese. Apart from this, the indigenous population residing within the country is known to speak languages such as Tupi, Guarani, Terena, and Kaingang. The immigrant population, on the other hand, has brought with themselves languages such as Italian, Spanish, German, Japanese, and English within the country.

Facts about the States and their Capitals

• Amazonas turns out to be the largest state in Brazil, covering a total area of 1.57 million square kilometers.
• Bahia has the longest coastline, with almost 1,183 km of landmass facing the oceans.
• Mato Grosso de Sul has the largest percentage of indigenous population residing within it in comparison to other states.
• Belo Horizonte, the capital of Minas Gerais, is also known as “The Garden City.”
• Pernambuco’s iconic historical town, Olinda, is a recognized UNESCO’s World Heritage Site.
• The state of Alagoas is popular among the tourists and is known for its beautiful beaches and coral reefs.
• Before Brasília occupied the status of the capital state, Rio de Janeiro remained the capital from 1763 to 1960.
• The city of Porto Alegre is also nicknamed “The Happy City.”
• Bahia’s capital, Salvador, resides the largest portion of the Afro-Brazilian population in comparison to the other regions.
• Curitiba, Paraná’s capital, ranks the highest in the list of Human Development Index within the country.
• The gaucho culture of Rio Grande do Sul is a reflection of its ranching heritage.
• Espiríto Santo is home to the world’s largest paper and pulp industry.

List of Brazil States and Capitals

FAQs

Q1) Which state is also known as the “Land of Samba”?

Bahia is known as the “Land of Samba” due to the presence of samba music as a product of the influence brought upon by Afro-Brazilian culture.

Q2) Which capital city is known for its extravagant and pompous Carnival celebrations?

Rio de Janeiro hosts the world’s largest Carnival celebrations that attract visitors from all over the world.

Q3) Which state forms the largest contributor to the gross domestic production of the country?

Sao Paulo contributes the largest share to the GDP of the nation, amounting to a share of 32% percent.

Q4) What is the highest peak located in the nation?

Pico de Neblina (2,994 m) is the highest peak that finds itself located in the upper terrains of Brazil.

Q5) Which state has the largest number of indigenous communities?

Mato Grosso do Sul has the largest number of indigenous communities. It forms a house for almost 36 native groups who have distinct cultural traditions.